REVIEW: Yes, Melbourne, April 11, 2012 - Noise11.com
Chris Squire of Yes. Photo by Ros O'Gorman

Chris Squire of Yes. Photo by Ros O'Gorman

REVIEW: Yes, Melbourne, April 11, 2012

by Paul Cashmere on April 12, 2012

in Live,News

I must admit I had reservations about going to see Yes without Jon Anderson on vocals but that was quickly set aside as soon as they started.

Chris Squire of Yes. Photo by Ros O'Gorman

Chris Squire of Yes. Photo by Ros O'Gorman

The last time Yes toured Australia was 2003 with Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, Chris Squire and Alan White. Anderson and Wakeman are no longer around and Jon’s replacement was replaced by Jon Davison just after this current tour was announced.

It turns out Davison is the perfect replacement. He doesn’t reinvent the sound but rather maintains it. Instead of Rick behind the keyboards was former Yes keyboard player Geoff Downes (who played with the band in the early 80s on ‘Drama’). Downes was a former member of The Buggles and also played with Howe in Asia.

This is a show worth seeing just to see Steve Howe. The legendary Yes guitarist takes centre-stage for his solo pieces and together with Chris Squire’s unique bass sounds is the sound of Yes.

Special mention needs to also go to “the timekeeper” Alan White. White was a member of John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band before he joined Yes. His credits include being the drummer on John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ AND George Harrison’s ‘My Sweet Lord’.

This current Yes tour showcases the band’s new album ‘Fly From Here’. The show goes for 2 hours 45 minutes with an interval and covers the classic Yes nicely.

‘I’ve Seen All Good People’, ‘And You And I’, ‘Heart Of The Sunrise’, ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart’, ‘Yours Is No Disgrace’, ‘Starship Trooper’ and ‘Roundabout’ sounded exactly like Yes and reminded the fans why this was one of the greatest rock bands of the 70s.

Yes have one more Australian show to go tomorrow night April 13 in Sydney at the State Theatre, presented by Noise11.com.

The setlist is:

Yours Is No Disgrace (from The Yes Album, 1971)
Tempus Fugit (from Drama, 1980)
I’ve Seen All Good People (from The Yes Album, 1971)
Life On A Film Set (from Fly From Here, 2011)
Solitaire (Steve Howe solo)
Australia (Steve Howe solo)
And You And I (from Close To The Edge, 1972)

Fly From Here – Overture (from Fly From Here, 2011)
Fly From Here – Pt 1 – We Can Fly (from Fly From Here, 2011)
Fly From Here – Pt 2 – Sad Night At The Airfield (from Fly From Here, 2011)
Fly From Here – Pt 3 – Madman At The Screens (from Fly From Here, 2011)
Fly From Here – Pt 4 – Bumpy Ride (from Fly From Here, 2011)
Fly From Here – Pt 5 – We Can Fly (from Fly From Here, 2011)
Wonderous Stories (from Going For The One, 1977)
Into the Storm (from Fly From Here, 2011)
Heart of the Sunrise (from Fragile, 1971)
Owner Of A Lonely Heart (from 90125, 1983)
Starship Trooper (from The Yes Album, 1971)

Roundabout (from Fragile, 1971)

Related Posts

Gotye
2011 AMP Shortlist Announced

The nine albums in the running for Australia’s premier music prize, the AMP, have been announced.

February 2, 2012
Lana Del Rey
Andy’s Best Music Of 2011

Andy’s favourite music of 2011, featuring Lykke Li, Lil Wayne, Lanie Lane, Lana Del Rey… and that’s just the ‘l’s.

December 23, 2011
Bono and U2. image by Ros O'Gorman
U2 Are The Top Touring Act Of 2011 By Far

Billboard has revealed the top-grossing touring acts of the year, and U2 come out on top by a long way.

December 22, 2011
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez Gets 2011 YouTube Crown

Jennifer Lopez’s ‘On The Floor’ was the most-viewed music video of 2011, setting Pitbull up to rule the top ten.

December 21, 2011
360 at the Independent Music Awards - Photo By Ros O'Gorman
The Jezabels Lead 2011’s AIR Award Winners

Sydney quartet The Jezabels scored two awards at the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards last night.

October 13, 2011
The Flaming Lips. image by Ros O'Gorman photos noise11.com
The Flaming Lips Announce Harvest Fest Sideshows

Bona fide Oklahoma freaks The Flaming Lips have announced two sideshows for November’s Harvest Fest.

September 28, 2011
PJ Harvey. Photo by Ros O'Gorman.
PJ Harvey Wins Mercury Prize

PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake has won her a second Mercury Prize a decade after her first.

September 7, 2011